Vivien Leigh; Laurence Olivier; Marilyn Monroe; Arthur Asher Miller
1 portrait of Arthur Asher Miller
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Vivien Leigh; Laurence Olivier; Marilyn Monroe; Arthur Asher Miller
by Unknown photographer, for Associated Press
bromide press print, 11 October 1956
5 7/8 in. x 8 3/8 in. (150 mm x 213 mm) image size
Purchased, 2011
Photographs Collection
NPG x135981
Sittersback to top
- Vivien Leigh (1913-1967), Actress. Sitter associated with 147 portraits. Identify
- Arthur Asher Miller (1915-2005), Playwright and essayist. Sitter in 1 portrait. Identify
- Marilyn Monroe (1926-1962), Actress. Sitter in 49 portraits. Identify
- Laurence Kerr Olivier, Baron Olivier (1907-1989), Actor, producer and director. Sitter in 114 portraits. Identify
Artistsback to top
- Associated Press, Photographers. Artist or producer associated with 45 portraits.
- Unknown photographer, Photographer. Artist or producer associated with 6583 portraits.
This portraitback to top
On 11 October 1956, Monroe and Miller with Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh attended the opening of Miller's play A View from the Bridge directed by Peter Brook at the Comedy Theatre. The ban on the play which dealt with homosexuality was overcome by the theatre becoming a club. Starring Anthony Quayle and Mary Ure, it was declared as 'just short of a masterpiece' by critic Kennth Tynan. Despite Monroe's wish that she was 'just Mrs Miller for the night' her scarlet satin dress designed by De Rachelle also made the headlines. Accompanying Monroe was Jack Cardiff who recalled; 'Marilyn's flamboyant luminosity was enough to make even the polite stalls assembly press close to her.'
Linked publicationsback to top
- Edited by Lucy Peltz & Louise Stewart, Love Stories: Art, Passion & Tragedy, 2020, p. 188
Linked displays and exhibitionsback to top
- Marilyn Monroe - A British Love Affair (29 September 2012 - 24 March 2013)
Subjects & Themesback to top
Events of 1956back to top
Current affairs
The first supermarket opens in Britain. Inspired by the new innovation in America, Jack Cohen opened his first Tesco supermarket in Essex.The First Clean Air Act is passed in response to the 'Pea Soup' smog over London.
Art and science
Pop Art is seen for the first time in the This is Tomorrow exhibition at the Whitechapel Gallery. The exhibition included Richard Hamilton's iconic collage: What is it that makes today's homes so different, so appealing?John Osborne's play Look Back in Anger opens at the Royal Court Theatre, introducing the phrase 'Angry young man' to describe the new movement of gritty, post-war realism in literature.
International
The Suez Crisis rocked Eden's premiership and marked the decline of British world power and influence in favour of America. In 1956 President Nasser of Egypt nationalised the Suez canal. Although Britain and France, who had owned the canal since the 19th century, invaded Egypt, they were soon persuaded to withdraw by US President Eisenhower who disapproved of the occupation.Comments back to top
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